Meet the Cast: Callie Feyen

by Kate on March 14, 2014

Time for another cast spotlight! Get to know Callie Feyen!

LTYM: Who IS Callie?

Callie: My name is Callie Feyen. I’m a graduate student pursuing an MFA in Creative Writing at Seattle Pacific University. I also write for The Banner, Christian Home and School, as well as on my blog: calliefeyen.com.

Callie (left) with some friends from her writing group

LTYM: How did you discover LTYM?

Callie: I found out about LTYM while sitting in the carpool line at my daughter’s school. A friend who has cheered me on and pushed me in my pursuit to be a writer texted me with the link for the tryouts and the message: “Callie I really, really think you should try out for this.” I read through the post and before I could talk myself out of it, I emailed Kate to see if I could sign up to tryout. I mention sitting in the carpool line with my friend’s text because that seems to be how this writing thing goes: you work really hard, sometimes at what seems like tedious, often treacherous tasks. You’re not really sure you are doing it right. I mean this both in motherhood and in writing. The wait seems endless. And then your kid comes outside, her backpack bouncing and she’s all smiles and you wave just a little because you don’t want to embarrass her but you can’t help being so happy that she belongs to you so you say, “Hi!” So it’s these little victories that aren’t victories at all, really, but just glimmers in your everyday life. I try to notice them. My friend’s text telling me about LTYM was a glimmer in the midst of the work and confusion. I didn’t know I would get cast, but the thought of trying for it, as my daughter got in the car and buckled her seat belt and we went on with the work of the rest of the day, gave me a spark.

LTYM: What is one of your favorite things you’ve ever written?

Callie: In regards to my blogging, one of my favorite posts happens to be the one I’m most ashamed of. I shared my feelings on the home my family and I live in, and writing it felt risky and embarrassing. Risky and embarrassing, though, seem to be my litmus test for whether or not to draft something. I’m not sure what the point of storytelling is if there isn’t heartache.

LTYM: When did you first start thinking about your mother as an individual person and not just “mom”?

Callie: When I was in grade school, my mom was on a softball team with a bunch of my classmates’ moms. They called themselves the “Hugger Muggers,” and I don’t remember if they were good, but I do remember watching my mom and thinking she could run really fast. And she could hit. And throw and catch. I loved watching her play.

During one game, my mom broke her foot running the bases. My brother and I weren’t there because it was a night game, but I knew what had happened, and in the middle of the night I walked down the hallway to my parents’ bedroom and saw the crutches next to the bed. Those crutches didn’t make me sad or scared, but instead, they reinforced just how awesome my mom is. She’s bold and smart and hilarious and so brave. I hoped that I would have a wound like that someday.

LTYM: Thanks Callie!

Read more about Callie on her website, calliefeyen.com. And check back soon for more DC cast member spotlights…

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